Some of the local teens heading to service academies talk about their futures.

Some of the local teens heading to service academies talk about their futures.

Wendi Winters

The teens in this year’s graduating Class of 2018 will soon scatter across the country — and around the world — to colleges, jobs and other futures.

But some six dozen of them will be doing something special: putting on the uniform of a military officer-in-training.

In search of these soon-to-be-graduates, The Capital reached out to schools across Anne Arundel County. Fifteen of these teens met with a reporter at the World War II War Memorial overlooking the Naval Academy on a recent sunny afternoon to talk about their decision. Another 14 more filled out a questionnaire.

The teens shared a common goal — a desire to serve our country as a member of the U.S. military — and often said it was family who inspired them.

Annapolis High School’s James “Jamey” Macris, who is off to the Naval Academy, was inspired to apply by his father Capt. Jeff Macris.

Academy bound: Anne Arundel County always has a crop of graduating seniors headed to the Naval Academy and other service academies.

“He was a Navy pilot and taught at USNA for many years,” Macris said, noting his dad recently retired after 31 years of service. “I love the Navy, the history, the prestige behind the Academy, and I wanted the opportunity to serve.

Nearly all the teens who spoke with The Capital mentioned they’d miss their families, friends, and the teachers and coaches who inspired them to apply to college military service programs.

Annapolis Area Christian School’s Morgan Lang, who will soon be a Naval Academy Plebe admits she’ll miss relaxing on her boat all summer. She won’t miss her family as most students will.

Her father, Capt. George E. Lang, Jr., a Navy veteran of 32 years and a SUNY Maritime Academy ’86 grad, is the deputy superintendent and chief of staff at the Naval Academy.

Within a few weeks, Lang, Macris and the others will be going to induction days at U.S. service academies, military prep and foundation schools or ROTC programs at colleges across the country.

Here’s a look at what’s ahead:

Naval Academy

Broadneck High’s Caroline Coleman is a member of the Bruins Varsity Rowing team and involved as Service Coordinator for the National Honor Society. She said she was inspired “by the academy itself” to apply.

“Seeing it every day made me want to serve and give back to my country and those who live in it.”

Ian Dennis, captain of the unified tennis team at Severna Park High School, credited service and leadership opportunities at his school with his decision.

“It was my experiences in high school that solidified my interest in the Naval Academy.”

Morgan Lang, of Annapolis Area Christian School, has wanted to attend since she attended a Navy football game at the age of 8. “I love the camaraderie, and love the Annapolis area,” Lang said.

Others going to the Naval Academy

John Bernhardt, Broadneck High

Timothy Berzins of Annapolis, Saint Mary’s High School

Lauren Brettinger, Severna Park High School

Emma Brindley of Severna Park, Severna Park High School

Tyler Collins of Crofton, Mount St. Joseph

Tristan Masao Fujimura, McDonogh School

Jacob Jarosz of Gambrills, Severn School

Christian Jones, Annapolis Area Christian

Morgan Lang of Annapolis, Annapolis Area Christian

Kimmie Leonard of Annapolis, Annapolis High SchoolMacris of Annapolis, Annapolis High School

Joel Mandish of Davidsonville, Severn School

Kyle McKeon, Old Mill High School

Evan Robertson, Annapolis Area Christian

Jamie Romo of Annapolis, Saint Mary’s High School

James “Jimmy” Selby of Crofton, Severn School

Jacob Williams, Old Mill High School

Air Force Academy

Severn School’s Jared Dove, captain of the soccer and track teams, was inspired by his father, John Dove, Jr., a 1987 Naval Academy grad. He said he learned “what it means to serve from him and has inspired me to do the same.” The Air Force Academy recruited him to play soccer.

Noah Genovese was captain of the varsity football and wrestling teams at Broadneck High and ranked sixth academically in his class. Genovese was inspired by his football coach Rob Harris, and his parents whom, he said “always pushed me to be my best.”

Also from Broadneck High, Brady Morrissey is ranked second in his class and has been team captain for the Indoor and outdoor track and field teams and the Cross Country team, plus president of the ping pong club. His father was his source of inspiration.

“He recently retired as an Air Force colonel and it was his commitment to excellence and service that truly inspired me to follow in his footsteps,” Morrissey said.

Collin Kubista of Severna Park, South River High School

Emelyn Porter, Meade High School

Eric Walter of Annapolis, Annapolis High School

Madison Wheeler, Chesapeake High School

Military Academy at West Point

Henry Andress of Davidsonville, St. Mary’s High School

Dorian Alexander-Washington Bailey of Gambrills, Rockbridge Academy

Dominic Crino of Severna Park, Severna Park High School

Cody Winokur of Laurel, Archbishop Spalding

Coast Guard Academy

Sarah Jacobsen is from a military family: her dad served as an Army ranger and an uncle was a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force. Of her decision to sign up with the Coast Guard, she said it “is a very close-knit service that I want to be a part of and contribute to their humanitarian mission.”

Devin McClure of Annapolis, South River High School

Merchant Marine Academy

Captain of the Broadneck lacrosse team and on the varsity track team, Emily Abe was also a member of the Navy Junior ROTC program at Annapolis High School. She was nominated by U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin.

Brennan Shute, also from Broadneck High, was captain of the cross country and indoor and outdoor track teams his senior year. His father, Greg Shute, a charter boat captain, sparked his interest in the water.

“I have grown up around the water my whole life, and want to turn my interests into a career,” he said.

Emily Abe of Arnold, Broadneck High School

Carter Hall of Arnold, Broadneck High School

Brennan Shute of Annapolis, Broadneck High School

Naval Academy Preparatory School

Richard Dion, McDonogh School

Christian Jones of Annapolis, Annapolis High School

Charlie Marculewicz of Severna Park, Severn School

Brian Schwob, Broadneck High School

Naval Academy Foundation Program

Broadneck High School’s Marua Dawson played Varsity Soccer, Basketball and Lacrosse as a Bruin. Two uncles, a cousin, and sister Margaret Ashlyn Dawson are Naval Academy graduates.

After a year at the foundation program at Kent School, she hopes to join the Class of 2023.

Jordan Blair, Broadneck High School

Maura Dawson, Broadneck High School

Alec Lusby of Annapolis, Annapolis High School – University of Delaware

James Millett, Broadneck High School

Air Force Academy Preparatory School

Sydney Reyes of Laurel, DeMatha High School

Reserve Officers Training Corps

Kasey Feldtmose of St. Mary’s High School, a varsity soccer and track athlete, will be entering the Air Force ROTC program at the University of Delaware.

Geoffrey Forsyth, St. Mary’s varsity cross country captain twice, captain of the spring track team, National Honor Society president and vice president of its STEM Club, fell in love with Virginia Tech.

“Virginia Tech has a Corps of Cadets and a great Navy ROTC program.” His father Stuart Forsyth, a Naval Academy ’81 grad; and his grandfather, who graduated from Vilanova’s NROTC program, were inspired him to serve.

Annapolis High School’s Brennan Ralph, captain of the varsity basketball and soccer teams, is enrolled in the Navy ROTC program at University of Notre Dame.

Gerard Berzins of Annapolis, Saint Mary’s High School – Navy ROTC at University of Maryland

Aleksander Doney, South River High School – Army ROTC at West Virginia University

Kasey Feldtmose of Annapolis, St. Mary’s High School – Air Force ROTC at University of Delaware

Jack Fitzgerald of Annapolis, South River High School – Army ROTC at University of Delaware

Geoffrey Forsyth of Annapolis, St. Mary’s High School – Navy ROTC at Virginia Tech School of Engineering

Connor Frey, Arundel High School, Army ROTC at Colorado State University

John Gething of Severn, Archbishop Spalding – Air Force ROTC at Florida State University

James “Jimmy” Hayburn of Bowie, St. Mary’s High School – Army ROTC at Loyola University

Kaleb Levery, North County High School – ROTC at University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Kyle Lingis of Pasadena, Archbishop Spalding – Navy ROTC at George Washington University

Thomas Philbeck of Annapolis, Saint Mary’s High School – Army ROTC at Loyola University

Brennan Ralph, Annapolis High School – NROTC at Notre Dame

Hayden Toth of Millersville, Mount St. Joseph – ROTC at University of Tampa

Sam Weisshaar of Arnold, St. Mary’s High School – Army ROTC at James Madison University

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The Capital worked with public and private high school administrators and counselors at two dozen area high schools to identify students for this story. If we missed you, email wwinters@capgaznews.com